Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) to Colonel
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.015 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 May 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
A pencil note written at a later date suggests this letter was written to Colonel Henry Knox Craig. Mentions the army's demoralization and questions the power of the Confederates. Writes, "As to the Army, I regret to say that the general feeling, of shame, disgust, and humiliation is well founded - I suppose it is very indiscreet to talk this but it is only to repeat all mens thoughts. So far as I can judge there is no earthly reason why the whole rebel army should not have been crushed - ruined... A Fitz John Porter, to shoulder the blame has been sought but so far as known, none is yet found. It is thought there was too much preparation for trapping such a character and the trap made a little too obvious. However this army has now lost about 75,000 men since taking the field- that is all- a mere trifle in comparison with the political differences between tweedledum and tweedledee." He is working to get his department in order again. Criticizes General Hooker's management of the Army of the Potomac. Written from camp headquarters.
Hunt was Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.
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